The Choctaw Nation presented funds to the City of Durant and Bryan County that the tribe says is part of its partnership with the city and county.
The city received $305,300 and Bryan County was presented $34,900. A ceremonial check presentation was held last week at the Choctaw Nation Headquarters.
District No. 9 Council Member James Dry said the checks represent the total amount from quarterly contributions and that a ceremonial check presentation is made once a year.
Dry cited the partnership the tribe has with the city and the county as to why these contributions are made.
“It’s important enough for the Choctaw Nation because even though the reservation’s here, the headquarters is here, that we have a strong partnership with the city and the county because it’s all about us working together as one to continue to help the county and the tribe grow,” Dry said.
“We feel like the Choctaw Nation is good stewards and good partners with our city and county because we all reside here. We’re all citizens of Bryan County.”
Dry said it is a blessing to live in Durant.
“We have a great community,” he said. “Durant continues, will continue to grow for many years and we all travel up and down the same roads and same infrastructure. So, it’s just a great partnership.”
Durant City Manager Pam Polk is appreciative of the partnership with the Choctaw Nation.
“Well, as our Economic Development Director Kathy Moore always says, ‘It’s a great day to be in Durant,’ and this is one of those days,” Polk said. “We have a great partnership with Choctaw Nation and we’re just so appreciative of how we work together to get projects complete.”
Polk said she does not know what the funds will be used for yet.
“We have a lot of infrastructure projects that this could be a match for so that we can make our funds go further,” Polk said. “So, maybe something along those lines.“ Bryan County District 1 Commissioner Scott Goad also expressed appreciation of the partnership with the tribe.
“The money that they donate goes towards community type projects where we use some of the money to pay for the maintenance of the courthouse, the elevator, things like that we generally wouldn’t necessarily have the budget for,” Goad said. “So, we really appreciate the partnership that we have with the Choctaw Nation.”
